The future of manufacturing in Europe

The pilot project The Future of Manufacturing in Europe is an explorative and future-oriented study. It explores the future adoption of some key game-changing technologies and how this adoption can be promoted, even regionally. The analysis of implications for working life focuses primarily on tasks and skills, not only at the white-collar, tertiary-education level, but also for blue-collar occupations, including a focus on challenges facing national and company apprenticeship systems. The future orientation also includes quantitative estimates of the employment implications of the Paris Climate Agreement, of large increases in global tariffs and of radical automation. It also measures the return of previously offshored jobs to Europe. Other research examines how the deepening globalisation provides opportunities for small companies to engage in international supply chains. This final report summarises the 10 project reports, which are complemented by 47 case studies, 27 policy instruments and 4 associated publications.

See also: The future of manufacturing in Europe - Executive summary [download]